Cyclone: Centre rushes disaster forces to Maha, Guj

With cyclonic storm Phyan approaching coastlines, the Centre has alerted Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa and is sending disaster response forces to assist these states.

A team of the National Disaster Response Force has also been sent to Kottagiri in the Nilgiris district in Tamil Nadu, where a school has been marooned, following heavy rains.

Home Ministry sources said besides the three western states, authorities of the union territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu have been asked to be fully alert, to face any eventuality if Cyclone Phyan hits their coastlines.

"NDRF teams are reaching the states to assist the local administration. Besides, we are ready to provide all necessary help to the states," a Home Ministry official said.

In Mumbai, the authorities have asked all educational institutions and offices in the city to close down this afternoon.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi called a review meeting of the state Disaster Management Authority and directed the district administration to keep an eye on the changing weather and take appropriate measures accordingly.

Cyclonic storm Phyan is expected to hit south Gujarat and north Maharashtra by late evening, after a deep depression formed in the south-east and adjoining central Arabian Sea.